Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

ShiningWorld Reader

Magdolna:
Hello, Christian. I have just read your three satsangs.
I am on the path of self-enquiry – whoopee!!!

Christian:
Hi, Magdolna. Yes, definitely, whoopee. ☺

Magdolna:
Anyway, whilst reading the third one, an
enquiry which I currently have came to mind, about how when I am
aware that I am awareness and not the jiva,
it is just plain and simple “is-ness.” I get that! But sometimes
it feels like I am two people, like I have a foot in two camps.

I
feel like I have a little person sitting on my shoulder!!!!! Do you
get what I mean? I know that I am not two but I have been this jiva
for 51 years and with maya
it is programmed into “me.” Will this feeling of seemingly being
two people/parts wane over time as I self-enquire diligently, and
eventually I will just be aware, with total knowledge, of one me,
i.e. awareness, my true self?

Christian:
No, it won’t. You’re getting at the good stuff. You can’t ask
this question without having identified yourself, so congratulations!

The
feeling of being two will continue to come and go, but the knowledge
of being one will always remain. This is what James is talking about
when he says that Vedanta is a complete teaching because it addresses
the really hard stuff, which is this question you’re asking. It’s
easy to know you’re the self, but how the heck do you assimilate
that into this crazy, seemingly constant feeling of being the person
in the body? The answer is always knowledge.

In
one of James’ MP3s – he’s in Germany, I think – he’s
got a cold. He says, “Yeah, I still feel like I’m in this body
too, just like you. It’s just that I know I’m not.” That is a
huge teaching. It’s what sets Vedanta apart. You’re not told that
when you know who you are, the person becomes a saint. The person
starts feeling a whole lot better, but still feels like a person.

It’s
confusing if you believe the magical thoughts of the mind, which
won’t stop. But it’s incredibly relaxing and affirming when you
accept what he’s saying, because there’s this whole level of
transformation that does not have to happen to get enlightened. The
person stays the person. Honestly, I was disappointed, because I was
a yogi
and I thought the sky would open, angels would sing, Krishna would
blast my third eye or some silliness and the person Christian would
be the perfect humanoid he’s been trying to be forever!

There’s
definitely a shift in the emotional body. The person does not feel
the big, difficult emotions anymore. Period. Or if they arise, they
are very quickly dispatched. It’s awesome even though it is not an
experience; it’s a lack of previous bad experiences. Very, very
nice. However all the middle-range stuff remains: wanting, not
wanting, psyched, disappointed, frustrations, etc., etc. But the
whole time I know that “I am the simple awareness, ever full, whole
and complete, just ‘is-ing.’” (Exactly as you say below, it’s
just Isvara
and I’m free of it.)

That
said, the constant background that you are awareness does start to
occupy the foreground more and more as you continue your inquiry –
and the jiva
world does start to fade more and more into the background. This is a
beautiful thing that naturally continues over time, it seems. But the
person never loses the warts.

You’re
on it, and your mind is getting sneakier and sneakier to try and keep
you in its realm of endless and meaningless thoughts.

But
let’s make it crystal-clear:

1. You
have to accept this weird feeling of two, because the person remains
the person.

2. When
you really feel like the person, all you have to do is know you are
awareness. You’ve already identified yourself, so yes, you can do
that. “I am awareness.” Done! It won’t make the person perfect,
but it will immediately make you aware that you never change, which
makes you aware of the constant peace you are, not the feeling of
peace that the person wants, but the true, never-changing reality of
the peace that you are.

Magdolna:
As I watch videos, read satsangs
and enquire, I say out loud that “I get it” and it makes me
smile. I absolutely love it. It is so perfect and thank God for the
teachers!

Thanks
for the teachers! So many thanks to James and those who came
before!!!

This is
a funny one for me but when I get insomnia very occasionally now, I
now know that it is not me, it is Isvara.
Nothing is mine!!!

That’s
it! That is the freedom. The person can’t sleep, and it never
touches you. That is the perfect assimilation of the question you
asked above! The person’s experience of wanting to sleep but not
sleeping does not change – yet your knowledge sets you free.

I
always knew this God guy was a good one!!! And as for why it was all
created in first place, why not??? That one can’t be answered
ever!!! Anyway, I won’t ramble on. Thank you for your time!

Best
wishes. Cheers, Christian. 06/03/14

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us